Atlantic Immigration Pilot

Welcome aboard, future Canadian! As you sail on the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP), you're not just heading toward a new country. You're charting a course toward a region rich in opportunity and diversity. Atlantic Canada, with its stunning coastline and vibrant cities, is a beautiful place to live and a region creating exciting economic opportunities. From bustling tech startups to thriving traditional industries like fishing and forestry, Atlantic Canada is a land of potential.

The region's governments recognize the importance of immigration in sustaining this growth. Through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, they're encouraging skilled workers and international graduates worldwide to make Atlantic Canada their new home. With the AIP, you can access these opportunities faster and more efficiently than ever.

Are you ready to embark on this exciting journey? It's time to navigate the Atlantic Immigration Pilot and set your compass toward a prosperous future in Canada.

What is the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) Program?

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) is a partnership between the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. Launched in 2017, the AIP is designed to attract and retain skilled immigrants in the region, addressing labor shortages and boosting the economy.

This Canada pilot program is not just an immigration pathway; it's a comprehensive support system. Under the AIP, employers play a crucial role, including assisting you and your family with the settlement process. Through this employer-driven approach, the AIP ensures you have the necessary support to thrive in your new home.

The AIP offers a faster path to permanent residency in Canada, making your dream of a Canadian future attainable. The Atlantic Immigration Pilot comprises three different programs, each catering to different categories of applicants. Understanding these categories will help you determine the right route for your journey:

Atlantic High-Skilled Program (AHSP)

• This program is for individuals who have attained a qualification from a publicly funded institution in one of the Canadian Atlantic provinces;
• You will need to have lived in the province for a minimum of 16 months in the two years before attaining your qualification;
• You will have to take a language test, regardless of the language you completed your studies in, and
• You must be able to prove you will be able to support yourself as well as any dependents that will be staying with you.

Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program (AISP)

• To apply for this program, you must have at least one year of experience working in management, professional, or skilled job;
• You must have a foreign degree or diploma equal to a Canadian credential, for which you will need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report done;
• You will need to take an approved language test to prove you are proficient enough in English or French to live and work in Canada and
• You need proof of funds that meet the minimum required amount to support yourself and any dependents, regardless of whether they are joining you in Canada.

Atlantic International Graduate Program (AIGP)

• Your offer must be completed on an Offer of Employment to a Foreign National form;
• As stipulated before, make sure your employer has been designated as one taking part in the AIP by the province;
• Only full-time jobs qualify. This means a minimum of 30 paid working hours per week and excludes seasonal work, meaning you are employed full-time;
• It is the correct job skill type for the program as listed by the National Occupational Classification;
• The offer must be for a minimum of one year, and
• Lastly, you must meet the requirements stipulated in the job offer. This means you are both qualified and capable of performing all the duties as required by the position.

How to Apply to AIP Canada

Sailing the waters of the AIP may initially seem daunting, but with careful planning and systematic steps, you'll find the journey manageable. Let's look at the process step-by-step.

Step 1: Determine if You're Eligible

Work experience

For AHSP and AISP applicants, work experience is crucial. Within the last three years, you must have at least one year of work experience under one of the TEER categories of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. The work must be full-time, meaning at least 30 hours a week, and in the same occupation as your job offer.

Educational requirements

All AIP applicants must have a Canadian secondary or post-secondary educational credential or a foreign degree, diploma, or certificate equivalent to a Canadian credential.

Language requirements

Language proficiency is critical to your success in Canada. Regardless of the job you're offered, you must meet minimum language requirements in English or French.

Settlement funds

You must demonstrate that you have enough money to support yourself and any family members coming to Canada unless you're already living and working in Canada.

Step 2: Get A Job Offer

To apply under any AIP program, you need a valid job offer from a designated employer in the Atlantic region. This offer must be full-time, non-seasonal, and meet the wage standards for the job. Make sure your job offer meets the following requirements:

• Your offer must be completed on an Offer of Employment to a Foreign National form;
• As stipulated before, make sure your employer has been designated as one taking part in the AIP by the province;
• Only full-time jobs qualify; this means a minimum of 30 paid working hours per week and excludes seasonal work, meaning you are employed full-time;
• It is the correct job skill type for the program as listed by the National Occupational Classification;
• The offer must be for a minimum of one year, and
• Lastly, you must meet the requirements as stipulated by the job offer. This means you are both qualified and capable of performing all the duties as required by the position.

Learn more about how to apply for jobs in Canada:

Step 3: Gather Your Documents

Once you have a job offer, you must gather the necessary documents. These include proof of your work experience, educational credentials, language test results, and evidence of your settlement funds. To apply for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, you need to gather the following documents:

• A valid passport
• Two recent passport photographs
• An employment offer letter from a designated employer in one of the four Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador
• Offer of Employment to a Foreign National under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (IMM 0157) form
• Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)
• Additional Dependants/Declaration (IMM 0008 DEP), if applicable
• Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)
• Economic Class – Atlantic Immigration Program Schedule 1: Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program (IMM 0113)
• Supplementary Information - Your Travels (IMM 5562)
• Proof of language proficiency
• Settlement plan for yourself and your family
• Proof of education and work experience
• Proof of recruitment efforts
• Detailed job description
• Employment contract
• Employee Declaration Form
• Proof of onboarding training and intercultural competency training (required with first Endorsement Application for a Designated Employer only)

Learn more about the documents you need to immigrate to Canada.

Step 4: Apply For Permanent Residence

With your job offer and documents ready, you can apply for permanent residency. You'll need to complete the application form for the AIP program that suits your situation, pay the application fees, and submit your package to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Learn more about Canadian permanent residence.

Why Use AIP Canada?

The benefits of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot for immigrants and employers include:

Faster Pathway to Permanent Residency in Canada

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot provides a faster pathway to permanent residency in Canada for skilled foreign workers and international graduates from a Canadian institution who want to work and live in one of Canada's four Atlantic provinces. The program has primarily supported labor market needs in Atlantic Canada due to its unique employer-driven model, enhanced settlement support, and federal-provincial partnership approach. Since the launch of the Pilot, over 12,000 principal applicants and their families have received their Canadian permanent residency and landed in Atlantic Canada through the Pilot.

Comprehensive Settlement Support for Immigrants and Their Families

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot offers comprehensive settlement support for immigrants and their families. The program assists with finding housing, schools, healthcare, language training, and other settlement services. This support helps immigrants and their families integrate into their new communities and adjust to life in Canada.

Diverse Job Opportunities in a Range of Sectors

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot provides diverse job opportunities in a range of sectors. The program helps employers hire qualified candidates for jobs they haven't been able to fill locally. The program has primarily supported employers in serving labor market needs. It has significantly increased immigrant retention, with nearly 90% of principal applicants choosing to remain in the Atlantic region.

Access to a Wider Pool of Skilled Workers for Employers

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot provides access to a broader pool of skilled workers for employers. The program allows designated local employers to identify, recruit, and retain global talent. This helps employers fill labor market needs and grow their businesses. The program has primarily supported employers in serving labor market needs and has significantly increased immigrant retention.

Economic Growth and Development for Atlantic Canada

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot contributes to the economic growth and development of Atlantic Canada. The program helps address demographic and financial needs in the region by attracting skilled immigrants to Atlantic Canada. The program also helps increase regional retention, contributing to economic growth and development. The permanent Atlantic Immigration Program builds on the strengths of the Pilot. It retains the core objective of attracting skilled immigrants to Atlantic Canada to address demographic and economic needs and continue to increase retention in the region.

Embarking on the Atlantic Immigration Pilot is filled with excitement, anticipation, and promise. As you navigate these waters, remember that every step brings you closer to your dream of a successful life in Canada. So hoist your sails, set your compass, and let the AIP guide you toward your new home.

FAQs

Can I Bring My Family Under the AIP?

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot allows you to bring your family to Canada. You can get your spouse, common-law partner, and dependent children to Canada under the AIP. Your spouse or common-law partner can also apply for an open work permit, which allows them to work for any employer in Canada. Your dependent children can also apply for a study permit to attend school in Canada.

Do I Need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)?

Employers do not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to offer a job under the AIP. The AIP is an employer-driven program that allows designated local employers to identify, recruit, and retain global talent. This helps employers fill labor market needs and grow their businesses.

Can I Apply If I Don't Have a Job Offer?

No, a job offer from a designated employer is a vital requirement of the AIP. To be eligible for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, you must have a job offer from a designated employer in one of the four Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador. The job offer must be full-time, non-seasonal, and non-part-time. However, there are several pathways you can use. Learn how to immigrate to Canada without a job offer.